A police race relations adviser who was Tasered in the face by one of the force’s own officers had frequently been mistaken for a suspect, a court has heard.

Members of Avon and Somerset Police wrongly identified Judah Adunbi as a man with an arrest warrant against his name on several occasions before and after Pc Claire Boddie unlawfully discharged the weapon on January 14 last year, Salisbury Magistrates’ Court was told.

Boddie, 47, believes she used reasonable force when she Tasered the 64-year-old in the street outside his Bristol home and is standing trial after denying assault by beating.

Claire Boddie court case

Richard Posner, prosecuting, said Mr Adunbi became increasingly frustrated and swore at officers when they approached him at around 9am as he walked to his back door off Colston Road in the Easton area of the city, because he had been mistaken for a suspect before.

He refused to identify himself, as was his legal right, but a scuffle ensued and he was hit in the jaw with the Taser, the court heard.

There were gasps of “Oh my God” from the public gallery, which was packed with supporters of the black African, as they watched footage of their friend falling to the ground from the blow.

Giving evidence, Mr Adunbi said: “I heard a noise. Then it felt like my head was frying.”

In body-worn camera footage shown to the court, both officers told Mr Adunbi they believed he looked like Royston McCalla – a suspect wanted by police for failing to turn up to court – who had warnings for violence and weapons on his file.

Mr Adunbi repeatedly shouts at them to leave him alone, claiming they were “victimising” him, he was being pursued for “no f****** reason” and the officers were “racist”.

Claire Boddie court case

In the video, when asked to give his name he can be heard saying: “Why are you following me around?